HANCEVILLE, Alabama -- Vincent had a strong set of guards a year ago. The Yellow Jackets have a new team strength this year.

That's in the post. The Yellow Jackets relied on their big men Wednesday night in a Class 2A Northwest regional final at Wallace State.

Vincent got a combined 42 points from its tallest trees inside to key a 58-42 win against unranked Lexington to advance to Saturday's regional final against defending Class 2A state champion Tanner.

The biggest of those big men was 6-foot-8 sophomore prospect E.J. Datcher. Vincent coach John Hadder said Alabama assistant coach Antoine Pettway stayed around the last of the eight games of the day to get a good look at Datcher.

Hadder said Datcher doesn't have any offers, but is drawing interest from the Crimson Tide along with Georgia and UAB.

The big man was major factor in the early going as he recorded three early blocked shots as Vincent shut out the Bears for a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

"He's capable of so much that when he wants to play he has got all the ability in the world," Hadder said. "I thought tonight at times he kind of showed that he wanted it a little bit. ... He wants the same thing the rest of the team does and that's to go as far as we can and I thought tonight he was outstanding."

Datcher went on to finish with 13 points. He made 4 of his 6 shots, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked five shots. He also made five of his six attempts from the free throw line.

"Anytime you have got a 6-foot-8 guy you have got an advantage," Lexington coach Ricky Bryan said.

Edmond McCrimon led Vincent with his 15 points. Kevin Greene also had 14. Those big guys, along with Vincent's superior quickness, was the difference in the game. Hadder said the team's guard play over the last few weeks has continued to make strides.

Vincent (16-13) came into the game targeting 40 points in the scoring range his team needed to keep the Bears in to have the best chance to win.

Tyler Northington had 12 points to lead Lexington. Spencer Adams also had 10 for the Golden Bears.

The regional final of Saturday will be a rematch of last year's Northwest semifinal that saw Tanner eliminate Vincent.

Hadder said both teams are different now. Lexington has faced Tanner three times. He even took the Rattlers to overtime this year, but never earned a victory.

"It will be interesting," Bryan said. "The referees will really earn their money in that game because both teams will really get into each other. It should be an exciting game to watch, but don't think it will be a high-scoring game because it will be really physical."